'Disaster' declared for rain damage in Gloucester County, South Jersey

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gloucester and 14 other New Jersey counties were given a "disaster declaration" on Thursday for damage incurred by farmers by severe storms and heavy rainfall on several occasions since April.

The declaration allows farmers to apply for low interest loans throughthe U.S. Department of Agriculture.

U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez had asked the department toissue the declaration, noting the state has an $82 billion agricultureindustry.